1997 Assembly Joint Resolution 57
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: memorializing Congress to recognize the services rendered to this country during the Vietnam War by Laotian and Montagnard troops.
Whereas, many Laotian and Montagnard (Hmong-Lao) units fought for and with U.S. armed forces during the Vietnam War, and more than 20,000 of them were killed, along with countless numbers who were wounded while fighting with their American allies; and
Whereas, they were told by representatives of our government that the United States would not abandon them if the United States left Southeast Asia; and
Whereas, many fled their own countries after the war to avoid persecution, imprisonment or death for their loyalty to America and the armed forces of our nation; and
Whereas, many of these Laotian and Montagnard (Hmong-Lao) soldiers and their families have been accepted into our country as legal immigrants; and
Whereas, while fighting for the United States, many of these veterans, as young soldiers, had little or no time for education in their homeland, and therefore had great difficulty learning American customs and the level of English needed to qualify for U.S. citizenship; and
Whereas, these legal immigrants are now in danger of losing supplemental security income, food stamps and all federal means-tested benefits; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature hereby respectfully urges President Clinton and Congress to recognize these sacrifices and service to our country by granting full and immediate U.S. citizenship to these Laotian and Montagnard (Hmong-Lao) soldiers who served with special guerilla units operating in support of the United States during the Vietnam War, as well as to their wives and children; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to President Clinton, the presiding officers of the U.S. house of representatives and the U.S. senate, the chairs and members of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees and to all the members of the Wisconsin delegation to Congress.
